1930 British Empire Games

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox games The 1930 British Empire Games were the inaugural edition of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, and was held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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The Civic Stadium in 1939

The event was organized by Hamilton Spectator sportswriter Bobby Robinson after he attended the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam as manager of the Canadian track and field team and was inspired to create a similar event for the British Empire. After campaigning for the idea among contacts he met at the Olympics, he was asked to organise the first British Empire Games in Hamilton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Fellow Hamilton journalist Ivan Miller helped with the organizing committee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The sports included athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, and wrestling. Women competed only in aquatic events. The opening ceremony and athletics events were held at Civic Stadium (later renamed Ivor Wynne Stadium) in east Hamilton.<ref name=memproj2>Template:Cite press release</ref>

The event was opened by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Willingdon, on 16 August. Canadian triple jumper Gordon Smallacombe claimed the debut gold medal a few hours later.<ref name="British"/>

The 1930 British Empire Games made use of pedestals for dignitaries to present medals to winning athletes, as proposed by Bobby Robinson. This inspired the Olympic medal podium ceremonies which began at the 1932 Winter Olympics.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Sports

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Participating teams

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Participating countries

There were 11 teams participating in these inaugural British Empire Games:

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Venues

Notable venues include:

• Prince of Wales Elementary School, (77 Melrose Ave N) – Male Accommodation
• Royal Connaught Hotel – Female Accommodation
• Civic Stadium – Athletics, Opening and Closing ceremonies
• Hamilton Municipal Pool – Aquatics (swimming and diving)
• Barton Street Arena - Boxing and wrestling
• Burlington Bay - Rowing
• Roselawn Bowling Club, Gage Park - Lawn bowls<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• "Hamilton 1930". Commonwealthsport.com. Commonwealth Sport.

• "Results and Medalists—1930 British Empire Games". Thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation.